X., XI. & XII.—Retaii Prices in London.

The first Chart shows the percentage fluctuations in the general level of retail prices in 1877 1905 of nine of the principal articles of food consumed by the working classes in London. It is based on the prices of Beef, Mutton, Bacon, Bread, Flour, Potatoes, Tea, Sugar, and Butter.

In the two succeeding Charts are shown separately the percentage fluctuations in the prices of eight of the articles included in the foregoing Chart, the articles included in the first of the two Charts being Beef, Mutton, Bacon, and Butter, and in the second Tea, Sugar, Flour, and Bread. The period covered is from 1886 to 1905.

Between 1877 and 1896 a considerable fall is shown to have taken place in the retail price of the articles included in the first Chart, but since 1896 the tendency on the whole has been upward.

In the case of those articles for which prices are given separately since 1886, the fluctuations shown to have taken place in the price of Bacon are noteworthy. The reasons for the high price of Flour in 1892 and 1898 have already been referred to.